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UPDATE: Three Released From Hospital After Explosion in Granite City

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Update: At least three employees of Amsted Rail have been released from a hospital and four others are expected to be released later today.

Our earlier story:

GRANITE CITY, Ill. (KMOX) – Nearly a dozen workers at Amsted Rail, formerly known as American Steel Foundries, are being treated at local hospitals after an explosion at the plant earlier this morning.

Amsted Rail Officials say the incident happened shortly before 9 a.m. in the cleaning and finishing department at the plant.

Granite City Fire officials say nine workers have been taken to area hospitals, but more are expected. KMOX’s Brian Kelly says the workers are being treated inside the plant and those who have injuries serious enough to be hospitalized are then taken out.

Two workers have been transported to Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur in critical condition, seven others were transported to Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City in stable to guarded condition. Officials say most of the workers are being treated for heat inhalation from the explosion. That injury is not believed to be life-threatening.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation. OSHA has been notified.